VIP sticker/ID #'s

[Lake Hickory Scuba]

I'm aware of two unrelated court cases that were decided in favor of the cylinder owner.

Here's what PSI has to say:

I guess I should have been more descriptive in my statement. I wonder if there is a complete list of cases, listing Dive Shop names with documented case files, OCA numbers, etc., both civil and criminal cases, to validate a statement made in regards to, "There have been too many examples of dive shops "condemning" cylinders for non-problems." I am know way shape or form questioning you statement, but am very interested in knowing more about the individual cases and or circumstances of these incidences. It's amazing that people who work in the industry seem to be IGNORANT (and yes I am talking about me) to all these occurrences mentioned by divers, especially here on Scuba Board, but can't never seem to find any documentation to verify. If you find any, please send me an email, lakehickoryscuba@gmail.com, address it to Bryan Stafford. I am very interested to read and learn more. I guess the last 29 years that I have been in this industry I have become very biased with out documentation to back it up. Oh wait no, that is just the former Police Mentality I have had as a Police Officer. There is always 3 sides to every story, What He Said, What She Said, and What Actually Happen.

 

[Lake Hickory Scuba]

And it was a she, not a he.
And shared fault also lay with McDonalds.

Good to know. Thank You.

 

[redacted]

Do you require the waiver for fills?

Just proof of certification.

I am surprised by that since a cylinder visual inspection is required by 49 CFR 173.301 before each fill.

(2) A cylinder must be filled in accordance with this part. Before each filling of a cylinder, the person filling the cylinder must visually inspect the outside of the cylinder. A cylinder that has a crack or leak, is bulged, has a defective valve or a leaking or defective pressure relief device, or bears evidence of physical abuse, fire or heat damage, or detrimental rusting or corrosion, may not be filled and offered for transportation. A cylinder may be repaired and requalified only as prescribed in subpart C of part 180 of this subchapter.

 

[Lake Hickory Scuba]

I am surprised by that since a cylinder visual inspection is required by 49 CFR 173.301 before each fill.

(2) A cylinder must be filled in accordance with this part. Before each filling of a cylinder, the person filling the cylinder must visually inspect the outside of the cylinder. A cylinder that has a crack or leak, is bulged, has a defective valve or a leaking or defective pressure relief device, or bears evidence of physical abuse, fire or heat damage, or detrimental rusting or corrosion, may not be filled and offered for transportation. A cylinder may be repaired and requalified only as prescribed in subpart C of part 180 of this subchapter.

Sorry, I was under the understanding that it was implied that the visual inspection was current, and his question was relating to the fact of signing a waiver for the fill itself. But for clarification, yes the cylinder must be with in current Hydro and VIP, and the customer must show proof of certification. Thank You for pointing that out. Here on Scuba Board, sometimes you have to go the PADI route, and dumb it down for clarification.

 

[redacted]

Sorry, I was under the understanding that it was implied that the visual inspection was current, and his question was relating to the fact of signing a waiver for the fill itself. But for clarification, yes the cylinder must be with in current Hydro and VIP, and the customer must show proof of certification. Thank You for pointing that out. Here on Scuba Board, sometimes you have to go the PADI route, and dumb it down for clarification.

You may want to read that CFR again. This is a CFR required visual inspection preformed by the filler before EACH filling. It is not covered by the scuba industry VIP sticker.

 

[Lake Hickory Scuba]

You may want to read that CFR again. This is a CFR required visual inspection preformed by the filler before EACH filling. It is not covered by the scuba industry VIP sticker.

Thank you for the advise and concern. One can never learn enough.

 

[Lake Hickory Scuba]

Do you require the waiver for fills?

To be very specific and transparent, so anybody can understand my answer, my answer to you in regards to your "very specific" question of, "Do you require the waiver for fills?," the scientific and detailed answer is,....(wait for it, wait for it, drum roll please)...............No. But, great question giving the context of the topic in this thread prior to you asking me. Come by the shop sometime, I will be happy to walk you through a fill process, and heck, I will even give you a free air fill, on the house.

 

[Beau640]

Thanks for all the information. Learning a lot from this.

If I want to VIP my own tanks, and lets pretend I've been trained to do it properly by some dive shop (pretend I previously worked for one or something but no longer do), would taking a course like the PSI-PCI VIP course allow me the greatest chance of a dive shop filling my cylinder if I self VIP'd? I'm worried that if I don't have a sticker with a specific dive shop logo on my tanks because I VIP'd them myself, it might raise some eyebrows or turn me away when I bring it in (no access to non LDS compressor. Shops around here always look for VIP sticker).

 

[tbone1004]

Thanks for all the information. Learning a lot from this.

If I want to VIP my own tanks, and lets pretend I've been trained to do it properly by some dive shop (pretend I previously worked for one or something but no longer do), would taking a course like the PSI-PCI VIP course allow me the greatest chance of a dive shop filling my cylinder if I self VIP'd? I'm worried that if I don't have a sticker with a specific dive shop logo on my tanks because I VIP'd them myself, it might raise some eyebrows or turn me away when I bring it in (no access to non LDS compressor. Shops around here always look for VIP sticker).

it depends on the shop unfortunately. PSI-PCI is going to get you the best chance. Keep in mind that the course is $300, and needs a $200 refresh every 3 years. Stickers are about $0.40/tank so that's a non issue, but you have to buy them in packs of 100, and they are different for O2 clean and air.

Call a VIP $20, you need at least 4 tanks to make it worth it. Shouldn't be an issue, but it's still not inexpensive and you do have to make sure you keep up with the cert to make it kosher. TDI may well be accepted by your shops and that course is $300 as well, but no need to recertify to my knowledge.

 

[Beau640]

I didn't realize that TDI had a course as well. I'll have to look into it thanks. I have 6 tanks total and will probably be picking up another 2 this summer so it ends up being worth it for me. I also like to do everything myself so I want to learn how to do it properly and do it myself anyways. I just want to make sure after I do it I'll be able to actually get it filled.